What did you think of the author’s choice to make the lead investigator a mass murderer recently released from prison? Did you agree with Carol that she was uniquely qualified to investigate the murder?
Great idea. Loved her character, although highly improbable… but that is what makes this story fun.
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Agreed. Why not” It is difficult to praise her without giving spoilers, but Good job with all humor.
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Considering the other characters’ personalities (as developed by the author), I’m unsure the storyline would have been as pivotal or fun.
Who better to get into the mind of a killer, than a serial killer? If this was the real world, she would not have been qualified, but in this fun, cozy book, she was the most qualified to be the lead investigator.
It was certainly unique! I liked her character and thought her view added a lot to the story.
I don’t know that she was qualified as an investigator, but she can certainly bring a unique perspective to any ongoing investigation of a murder.
I don’t think any of them were really qualified but that’s what made the story different and interesting.
The use of a serial killer actually released from prison as a lead investigator was incredibly fun, but it felt incongruous with the effort taken to detail the setting. I think that I would have preferred more of an informational release scene or perhaps a sentence for only one officially known homicidal act. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the escapades that ensued once Carol assumed her investigative role and put her unique skill set to work.
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Well she definitely had insight as to the many ways - and reasons - to commit murder.
It was a great hook to have a serial killer investigate a murder and frankly, that makes as much sense as having characters such as Miss Marple or a child such as Flavia de Luce solve crimes. Sometimes the reader just needs to suspend their imagination and just enjoy the story, especially when it’s well written as this one is.
I so agree and I really liked the ending. What a clever and good way to draw it all together. This might have been a book of less than 275 pages but it carried a good message, didn’t!
I agree with the other readers that it was a great idea, and she would certainly be aware of investigative techniques in order to avoid being caught. I agree that Carol’s qualifications were uniquely suited to the problem at hand.
I really enjoyed it. I think using a serial killer made this book stand out in the retirement mystery genre. I also thought the character development was spot on I thought it was clever to show how friends lost trust when they found out who she was. Then they watched her redeem hersslef
I thought it was a great idea….made it more of a fun read.
I do think she was uniquely qualified to investigate the murder since, as others have said, she could get into the mind of the killer. It was definitely a unique take on a murder mystery!
I agree she could underst5and the mind of a killer better than a profiler
You need to remember that the author planned to write a novel which was a combination of mystery and humor! In some ways I agree with Carol that she was uniquely qualified to investigate the murder: however, she exhibited certain investigative skills that any inquisitive and insightful person might have, no matter what their background.
It was a bit too improbable for me. I tried to believe that the community didn’t know her name and then tried to believe they would get over the shock and accept her.
I loved this part, and it actually makes a lot of sense. Former forgers are great at solving future forgeries and former addicts become great counselors. Why wouldn’t it work with ex-mass murderers? I’ve always heard that the best investigators understand how to “think like the killer.” Who better to do that than Carol?